Lazarus
What Happens Between Death and Resurrection?
What Happens Between Death and Resurrection? Understanding the Intermediate State
The Question Every Believer Asks
Every Christian eventually faces the quiet, unsettling question: What happens the moment after I die? We know the resurrection is coming. We know Christ will raise our bodies in glory. But what about the time in between? What about the hours, days, or centuries before that great moment arrives? Where are our loved ones right now? And what will happen to us?
The Bible does not leave us to wonder. Instead, it opens a window into the “in‑between”—a reality Christians throughout history have called the intermediate state. It is the experience of believers who have died but whose bodies have not yet been raised. And far from being shadowy or uncertain, Scripture paints a vivid picture of this part of our journey.
What Scripture Shows Us About the Moment After Death
When a believer dies, something profound happens. The body remains here, returning to the dust. But the person—the soul, the spirit, the conscious self—does not. Scripture consistently teaches that the believer steps immediately into the presence of God.
Paul expresses this with confidence:
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
Jesus speaks even more directly to the thief on the cross:
“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
— Luke 23:43 (KJV)
These are not poetic phrases. They are promises. And the Bible reinforces them not only through statements, but through stories—real people who experienced the separation of body and soul.
Jonah, Lazarus, and the Thief: Real People Who Experienced the In‑Between
Jonah gives us one of the most striking Old Testament glimpses into the intermediate state. His body was inside the belly of the great fish, yet Jonah describes something far deeper:
“Out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.”
— Jonah 2:2 (KJV)
Jonah was conscious. He was praying. He was aware. His body was in one place, but Jonah—the real Jonah—was somewhere else entirely. His experience mirrors exactly what Scripture teaches about death: the soul continues in conscious existence even while the body lies elsewhere.
Lazarus offers another window. When Jesus arrived at his tomb, Martha warned Him that the body had already begun to decay:
“Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.”
— John 11:39 (KJV)
Yet when Jesus called Lazarus back, Lazarus didn’t “wake up” from unconsciousness. He returned. Returned from where? Returned from being alive in the presence of God. His soul rejoined his body, just as Jonah’s did.
And then there is the Lazarus of Jesus’ parable—the one carried by angels to Abraham’s side:
“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.”
— Luke 16:22 (KJV)
Meanwhile, the rich man is also conscious:
“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments…”
— Luke 16:23 (KJV)
Their bodies were still in the grave, but they themselves were very much alive.
Finally, the thief on the cross seals the truth. Jesus’ promise—Today you will be with Me in paradise—leaves no room for delay, sleep, or unconscious waiting. The thief’s body remained on the cross, but the thief himself went immediately to be with Christ.
Together, these accounts form a unified biblical pattern: the soul survives death, remains conscious, and enters the presence of God while the body awaits resurrection.
What This Means for Your Loved Ones — and for You
This truth is not just theological—it is deeply personal. It means your loved ones who died in Christ are not asleep. They are not drifting. They are not waiting in darkness. They are alive. They are conscious. They are safe. They are with the Lord. And they are experiencing a peace and joy that we can only begin to imagine.
But their story—and ours—is not finished. The intermediate state is beautiful, but it is not the end. The Bible points us forward to something even greater: the resurrection, when Christ returns and reunites body and soul in glory. The intermediate state is the doorway. The resurrection is the destination.
This gives us hope not only for those we’ve lost, but for ourselves. Death is not a wall. It is a passageway. A transition. A step from faith to sight.
Consider This
If you knew that the very next conscious moment after death would be in the presence of Jesus, how would it change the way you live today? Would it change your fears? Your priorities? Your sense of urgency? Your hope?
The One who holds your future also holds your first moment after death. And because of that, every believer can face that moment not with dread, but with confidence.
Where Did Old Testament Believers Go When They Died?
Where Did Old Testament Believers Go When They Died?
In the hallowed halls of biblical history, the lives of Old Testament believers unfold like ancient scrolls, revealing faith, endurance, and hope. Their footsteps echo across millennia, and their questions resonate through the ages. Among these queries, one stands out: Where did Old Testament believers go when they died? Let us delve into the sacred texts of the King James Version (KJV) to uncover glimpses of their eternal destiny.
1. **Psalm 16:11 – The Path of Joy**
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
The psalmist, with poetic anticipation, yearns for a departure from this earthly realm. His compass points toward God’s presence—a path of life where joy overflows and eternal pleasures await. Old Testament believers glimpsed this celestial journey, their hearts aflame with hope.
2. **Psalm 23:6 – Dwelling in the Lord’s House**
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
David, the shepherd-poet, paints a portrait of unwavering trust. Amid green pastures and still waters, he envisions a lifelong pursuit of goodness and mercy. But beyond life’s horizon lies a grander dwelling—a celestial abode where the Lord Himself hosts His faithful. The house of the Lord becomes their eternal home, where shadows yield to everlasting light.
3. **Job 19:25-27 – The Redeemer’s Promise**
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”
Job’s lament transforms into triumphant proclamation. Amid suffering and decay, he clings to the living Redeemer. His faith pierces mortality’s veil. Even as worms consume his earthly frame, Job declares a profound truth: In resurrected flesh, he will behold God. The Redeemer’s arrival heralds fulfillment.
4. **Matthew 22:31-32 – The God of the Living**
“But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read what was spoken unto you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Jesus, the Master Teacher, confronts the skeptics. Quoting Exodus 3:6, He unveils a profound reality. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—patriarchs of old—are not mere historical figures. They live! God’s covenant transcends death. The God of the living claims them as His own. Their spirits, vibrant and conscious, reside in His presence.
5. **Ezekiel 37:12-14 – Resurrection and Restoration**
“Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.”
Ezekiel’s vision pierces the valley of dry bones. God breathes life into the lifeless. The resurrection echoes across generations. Old Testament saints, once entombed, rise to new life. Their glorified bodies await the final act—their return to the land of promise. Restoration unfolds, and the Lord’s faithfulness stands resolute.
The Old Testament believers, though separated by epochs, share a common destiny. Their spirits, liberated from earthly confines, dwell in the presence of the Almighty. Their hope rests in the Redeemer—the One who conquered death. As we ponder their legacy, let us embrace the same hope: that beyond the veil, joy awaits, and eternity beckons.
Note: This reflection draws from biblical passages and does not constitute theological dogma. Interpretations may vary, but the essence of hope remains.
In weaving this tapestry of faith, I honor the ancient voices and the eternal truths they echo. Let us journey onward, for the path of joy awaits.
King James Version Bibles – starting at 30% off! Shop ChurchSource.com now.
**Unveiling Sheol**
In the hallowed halls of biblical history, the lives of Old Testament believers unfold like ancient scrolls, revealing faith, endurance, and hope. Their footsteps echo across millennia, and their questions resonate through the ages. Among these queries, one stands out: Where did Old Testament believers go when they died? Let us delve into the sacred texts of the King James Version (KJV) to uncover glimpses of their eternal destiny.
1. **The Meaning of Sheol**
In the Hebrew Bible, Sheol emerges as the abode of the dead—a place where both righteous and unrighteous souls await the Day of Judgment. Its essence defies easy definition, existing at the crossroads of the literal and the metaphysical. Let us explore its facets:
– **The Grave and Beyond:** Sheol encompasses more than mere physical burial. It extends beyond the grave, transcending earthly confines. Whether human or animal, all creatures find their way to this shadowed domain.
– **Inescapable Fate:** Sheol brooks no exceptions. Neither virtue nor wickedness can evade its grasp. The righteous and the unrighteous alike journey toward its depths. It lies hidden in the lowest recesses of the earth.
– **Desolate Existence:** Descriptions of Sheol paint a bleak canvas. Within its confines, love, hate, envy, work, thought, knowledge, and wisdom cease to exist. It is a void devoid of light, remembrance, and praise.
– **Silent Shades:** Its inhabitants—like trembling shades—lack hope of escape. They dwell in perpetual weakness, cut off from the vibrancy of life. No sound pierces the silence; no praise of God resounds.
– **Ravenous Beast:** Sheol devours relentlessly, swallowing the living without satiation. Its gates remain impervious, sealing the fate of those who enter.
2. **Theological Development**
As the Old Testament unfolds, glimpses of hope pierce the Sheol narrative:
– **Resurrection Revelation:** Toward the end of the Old Testament, God unveils a promise—the resurrection of the dead. Isaiah prophesies: “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise” (Isaiah 26:19). Sheol’s grip will loosen; God will swallow up Death.
– **Intertestamental Shift:** In the intertestamental period, Jewish thought evolves. The righteous dead find comfort, while the wicked face torment. Hades (often translating as Sheol) becomes a place of reckoning.
3. **New Testament Perspectives**
With the advent of Jesus, fresh insights emerge:
– **Comfort and Torment:**
Jesus speaks of a great chasm between the righteous and the wicked. Lazarus rests in comfort, while the rich man endures torment (Luke 16:22-23).
Luke Chapter 16
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
– **Keys of Death and Hades:** Jesus wields authority over Sheol. He holds the keys, unlocking its gates (Revelation 1:18).
Revelation 1:18
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
– **Final Triumph:** Death and Hades relinquish their captives. They yield to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13-14).
Revelation Chapter 20
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
King James Version Bibles – starting at 30% off! Shop ChurchSource.com now.
Conclusion:
4. **Progressive Revelation**
Theological shifts—from Sheol’s shadowy depths to the clarity of heaven and hell—reveal God’s unfolding plan. The Bible’s coherence lies not in contradiction but in progressive revelation. As time unfolds, God reveals more of Himself, guiding humanity toward eternal truths.
Note: Sheol’s mystery persists, bridging ancient texts and modern understanding. Interpretations may vary, but hope remains.
In weaving this tapestry of faith, I honor the ancient voices and the eternal truths they echo. Let us journey onward, for the path of joy awaits. Beyond Sheol’s veil, hope unfurls like dawn’s first light.
Consider This:
Sheol had multiple compartments, I think 5 or more. Please consider more closely the parables of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
In Luke 16:22-23 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, Jesus tells a parable about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus:
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
This parable illustrates contrasts in life and the afterlife. The beggar, Lazarus, who lived a life of poverty and suffering, dies and is carried by angels to a place of comfort known as “Abraham’s bosom,” a Jewish metaphor for paradise or a place of blessedness. On the other hand, the rich man, who lived a life of luxury and indulgence, dies and finds himself in hell, experiencing torment. From hell, the rich man sees Abraham and Lazarus in a place of comfort, symbolizing his separation from God’s blessings due to his earthly choices and lack of compassion for others.
Lazarus went to Paradise. The Rich Man went to Hell. There is a great fix (gap) between, so neither could go to the other side. One in torment, the Rich Man, and one in complete comfort, Lazarus. Paradise is where the Old Testament Saints went at Death, until JESUS was crucified. The Old Testament Saints were still under the law, the sacrifices made unto GOD was considered justified by GOD. But those sacrifices were temporarily accepted until the ultimate sacrifice was made, by JESUS CHRIST on the cross. And now the sin debt had been paid in full and the spirits of the Saints go directly to Heaven.
This passage emphasizes themes of justice, compassion, and the consequences of one’s actions in life, highlighting the importance of living a life aligned with God’s values.
Download Our Heaven Information Guide
- The Hidden Joys of Walking With God: Quiet Blessings That Prepare Us for Heaven
- The Nearness of Heaven: Why Eternity Is Closer Than You Think
- Seeing Jesus in Heaven: What Scripture Reveals
- Beauty in Heaven: How God’s Glory Transforms Everything
- What Will Friendship Look Like in Heaven?
- What Happens Between Death and Resurrection?
- Is There Time in Heaven? What Eternity Really Means
- Where Do We Go When We Die? A Biblical Look at Eternity
- Will We Have Our Own Homes in Heaven? Understanding “Many Mansions”
- What Worship Will Be Like in Heaven
- Will We See God’s Face in Heaven?
- What Will We Eat in Heaven?